The Mark of Salvation

by Carol Umberger

  Bryan continued. “You know Adam, of course, but I don’t believe you’ve met Fergus. He is Anna’s son and Kathryn’s good friend.”

  Ceallach acknowledged Fergus with a brief nod.

  Bruce pulled a young woman forward. “This is Lady Morrigan Macnab.”

  Ceallach nodded to her. He’d met her before—a warrior in her own right.

  Fergus eyed her suspiciously and said, “My pleasure, Lady Macnab.”

  Dressed in her usual men’s trews and saffron shirt belted at the waist, she stood straighter and said, “I’m no’ a lady but a warrior like yourself.”

  Fergus stepped back and Bruce chuckled. “That she is, Fergus. None better with a bow and more than competent with a sword. Best beware.”

  “I shall remember the warning.”

  “See that you do,” she said.

  Bruce looked behind him and asked Ceallach, “Whom do you have with you?”

  “Your Majesty, I found some Englishwomen in a supply wagon. One is at the hospital looking for her husband. I have just come from burying Lady Radbourne’s husband, and now I am ready to turn her over to you.”

  Immediately Lady Kathryn walked over to her English counterpart and offered condolences. Morrigan and Ceallach stayed behind. Didn’t Kathryn know that but for the grace of God her own loved ones would be the ones dead and vanquished? How could she offer solace to the enemy?

  But Bruce also walked over to the Englishwoman. “Lady Rad-bourne?”

  She nodded.

  “Let me help you from this horse. You may make yourself comfortable here by the fire. I will see to your needs when I’ve finished with the business at hand.”

  “I am fine here on the horse, thank you.”

  “As you wish.” With a curt nod of his head, Scotland’s king accompanied Lady Kathryn back to the men and Morrigan. “Now, let us get on with this solemn ceremony.”

  Ceallach had no choice but to await the king and so joined the circle of people.

  Bruce addressed them. “These men proved their bravery upon the field of battle under the worst conditions. Fergus has earned my lifelong friendship and gratitude for saving the life of my natural son, Sir Bryan Mackintosh and his wife, Lady Kathryn.” Bruce gave Fergus a splendid sword, no doubt from the cache of English weapons. Fergus kissed the blade and handed it back to the king before he knelt in front of him. Bruce then tapped him first on one shoulder, then the other before pronouncing him a knight.

  Bruce moved to stand in front of Adam. “Sir Adam. I had the privilege of knighting you when our fight with England began that cold day outside of Greyfriars Church.”

  “Aye, my king. More than eight years ago.”

  “We’ve suffered much since then. Yesterday you helped Sir Fergus save Bryan and Kathryn from the wrath of an English enemy. I cannot possibly reward you with anything that compares to the worth of these two, whom I love.”

  Adam shook his head. “There is no need to thank me. Bryan is as dear to me as any brother by blood.”

  Ceallach looked to his own foster brother, Robert the Bruce, and knew that Adam spoke true. Ceallach would lay down his life for the man who was both a brother and his king.

  Bruce beckoned to his page and the young boy brought a parchment to the king who took it then faced Adam again. He offered the paper to Adam and he took it. “Adam, I wish to reward you with the newly created Earldom of Moy.”

  Adam looked stunned. “You are too generous, Your Majesty.”

  “Nonsense. You’ve been a staunch ally in the north and have earned a reward. But I suppose now you’ll be asking for leave to race home to Moy and tell Gwenyth she is a countess.”

  Adam grinned. “Aye.” He looked up at the sky. “There’s still a fair amount of daylight left—I could leave today.”

  Everyone laughed.

  Bruce laughed with them, and then in a more serious tone the king said, “You are anxious to see Gwenyth and your wee ones.”

  “Aye. They are never far from my thoughts. Our oldest turns five in a few weeks. It will be good to be home for the celebration.” He turned to Bryan. “Why don’t you and Kathryn come to Moy while Homelea is being rebuilt?”

  All this talk of home, of family made Ceallach melancholy. Where did he belong? His thoughts shifted back to the Englishwoman, and he turned toward her. She’d acquiesced and dismounted and now sat by the campfire. He stopped in front of her and she stood up from the log she’d been sitting on.

  He still had no idea what he was supposed to do with her. “In a few minutes I will be able to bring your plight back to the king’s attention, my lady.”

  “I am not going anywhere, Sir Ceallach.” She looked so forlorn. He knew only too well how it felt to be a prisoner, to have others control your fate. But there was nothing he could do about her situation. Radbourne had been a fool to bring her. Brash, stubborn English . . .

  He cleared his throat nervously. “Very well.” He walked back to the group surrounding Bruce hoping he might soon talk with the king.

  “Aye, I am worried for your safety,” Bryan was saying to Bruce. “Who knows how Edward of England will react to this defeat of his army?” He turned to Adam. “I can’t go with you to Moy, but perhaps you would take Kathryn with you?”

  Bryan’s wife looked very unhappy with that suggestion. “Do you think I will leave here without you?”

  Bruce said, “Perhaps you should take a few weeks and accompany Kathryn to Moy, Bryan. I don’t believe Edward will be able to convince his nobles to invade Scotland any time soon.”

  Bryan considered this. “You’re probably right. It may take him years to rally them to battle again. I would like to see everyone at Moy and introduce Kathryn to my childhood home.” The more he thought about it the more appealing the idea must have been for he said, “Aye, Adam. We’ll go with you.”

  Bruce gave his blessing to the trip and promised that when Bryan returned, he would have the funds to rebuild Homelea. “Now, I have one more bequest to make before I attend to Ceallach and his prisoner. Morrigan, step forward please.”

  Ceallach was glad to hear that Morrigan was to be the last person singled out. He wanted no reward nor any notoriety for his part in yesterday’s victory. All he wanted was to be relieved of the woman who waited for Bruce’s attention.

  Bruce said, “Morrigan, your family has paid dearly for fighting for Scotland. Your father and brother are dead, and you’ve been dispossessed from your lands. How long has it been since you saw your mother and siblings?”

  “Seven years, my laird.”

  “Too long. It is past time for you to reunite your family and find yourself a husband.”

  “I’ve not given marriage much thought, my laird.”

  “Aye, you have been serving your country. But now that we have peace once more, you should begin to think on it. I turned your Uncle Angus out of Innishewan on my way to Bannockburn. The estate is yours.”

  Well done. Morrigan had saved the king’s life and survived the dangerous existence of a spy. She deserved to have such a reward for her efforts.

  Morrigan appeared stunned at the generosity. “You have defeated the English, my laird. I need no more reward than that.”

  “Take it. Innishewan is not the prize you remember. I received a report that your uncle gutted it before he left. You won’t be able to occupy the castle without considerable repair. Find yourself a husband to help you restore the estate.”

  “Thank you, my laird. You are too generous. But I have no need of a husband to help me. I am perfectly capable—”

  “Of course you are,” Bruce said smoothly. “But you will need men to help put it to rights. Perhaps Fergus here could assist you.” He turned to the man. “What plans do you have now that you are knighted?”

  Fergus said, “I haven’t had time to give it much thought. I’m trained ” as a steward—perhaps I can serve Lady Morrigan in that capacity as she rebuilds.

  Fergus looked at Bryan who shrugged and said, “You a
re certainly welcome back at Homelea, Fergus, when Kathryn and I return there. But perhaps you’d prefer to seek your fortune elsewhere.”

  “I’d welcome a steward’s help at Innishewan,” Morrigan said. “I’m not sure you’d earn a fortune, Fergus, but you’ll at least have enough to support a wife and family.”

  Kathryn grinned at Fergus. “All you need now is a wife.”

  Fergus blushed and said, “Now that I’ve a way to provide for one, I shall look in earnest.”

  Hearty laughter followed his exclamation.

  “An excellent idea,” the king put in. “Fergus, go with Lady Morrigan and be of service to her.”

  Ceallach saw the dismayed look on Fergus’s face and the satisfied look on Bruce’s. If he didn’t know better, Ceallach would swear the king had stooped to matchmaking.

  As the others drifted away, Bruce nodded to Ceallach and said, “I have given it some thought and I’ve decided that you will be in charge of this female prisoner. As an earl’s wife, she would fetch an excellent ransom. But instead, I will hold her hostage to ensure the safety of my own family. Until an exchange of prisoners can be negotiated, Lady Radbourne needs a protector.”

  Ceallach glanced quickly at the woman, still seated by the fire. “I am not a good choice for this work, sire. I know nothing of women and their needs.”

  “Who better than a former monk to guard a female prisoner? I trust that the lady will be completely safe in your care. You will accompany her to Dunstruan, a small holding less than a day from here.”

  Searching for a way to dissuade Bruce, he said, “Why don’t you keep her here at Stirling?”

  “Stirling will suffer the same fate as other fortresses that have been held against me. With its command of the land, I cannot afford to take a chance on Edward regaining control of Stirling. It will be destroyed.”

  “I see. A wise course of action, my laird. Much wiser than putting me in charge of this prisoner.” Ceallach glanced over at the woman. “If you insist on this, sire, I will obey. But you need to find a woman to accompany Lady Radbourne. She needs . . . she is grieving her loss, Robert. She needs a woman to talk to.”

  “All right.” Bruce thought for a moment. “Dunstruan is less than an hour’s ride from Innishewan. Morrigan and her family can live with you until her estate is livable. That should solve several problems at once.”

  Relieved that he would have help dealing with Lady Radbourne, and more importantly that she would have some sort of female companionship, Ceallach said, “Thank you.”

  “You will leave as soon as we’ve dealt with those supply wagons and you’ve been paid your wages.” Bruce paused. “Dunstruan’s laird died about six months ago, Ceallach. Dunstruan is to be yours.”

  “Mine?” Ceallach had spent his adult life not owning so much as the clothes on his back. Responsible for a castle and its lands? For the people there?

  “You are a natural leader, Ceallach, and the people of Dunstruan are in need of someone to care for and protect them. That I know you can do.”

  Ceallach fought back panic. Robert didn’t know, couldn’t know, what had happened to the one person Ceallach had wanted to save. . . . Even his success at driving Edward of England from the field of battle couldn’t erase the horror. His hands shook, and he pressed them against his thighs to hide the tremors. “You are too generous, brother. I cannot accept such a gift.”

  “Of course you can. You have served me well, especially in the battle yesterday. Take your reward and find some peace from whatever demons followed you to Scotland.”

  Demons. Ghosts. Memories.

  If he refused this gift, Robert would insist on knowing why, and Ceallach could not talk about his past, about Peter. For now he would do Robert’s bidding. When the time was right, he would return the holding to the king. “Thank you, Robert. I don’t mean to seem ungrateful for your gift. It’s just that I . . . am humbled by your faith in me.”

  Robert observed him closely. “One day I want to hear it all, Ceallach. I want to know what happened in France.”

  “I was arrested with the others. We were tortured. I escaped. There’s nothing else to tell.”

  Robert shook his head, his expression one of disbelief. “One day,” he repeated.

  THE DAYS IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE VICTORY at Bannockburn were some of the most joyous and peaceful Robert and his people had known in years. Robert anticipated the return of his wife and daughter from their English prison. Other families also awaited a reunion with their loved ones as soon as arrangements could be made.

  Bruce celebrated by dispensing the immense bounty that had been found in the carts the English left behind. A huge sum of currency, gold and silver, and household items of every description made it clear that the English had expected to occupy Scottish castles after their victory. There were money chests for payment of the troops, siege weapons, all sorts of personal weapons and armor, silk tapestries, tents, linen and silk apparel, wine, corn, hay, herds of cattle, flocks of sheep, swine, and war-horses and their saddlery. Surely every family in Scotland would benefit from the distribution of these goods.

  Robert himself spent many hours giving out gifts to his army that first week after their victory. Bryan stayed close to the king, assuring himself of his father’s safety before he agreed to leave for Moy with Adam and Kathryn.

  Late afternoon sun reflected off an empty golden chalice Bruce had pushed into Bryan’s hands. They walked to the king’s tent. “Come inside for a moment, Bryan,” Bruce said.

  Grateful for the promise of something cool to drink, Bryan followed the king into the shelter. They sat down and a page brought refreshments. Relaxed and at ease with his father, Bryan said, “Scotland is yours now, sire.”

  “Aye, it is. But if she is to prosper, we’ll need peace. And if we are to have the dignity of being a sovereign people, Edward of England must recognize me as the rightful king of Scotland.”

  As long as Edward refused recognition, other monarchs might well follow his lead and Scotland would not be able to deal with other countries as an equal. This would directly impact Scotland’s ability to conduct trade and so better the lives of her people.

  Bruce sipped his drink before he went on. “Obviously our victory will not sit well with Edward of England.”

  “No, I’m sure it won’t. But that is not your only worry, is it? So long as the pope refuses to allow you back into the Church, you cannot be Scotland’s spiritual leader.”

  “Aye, for myself I would not care. My relationship with my Lord is between him and me. But for a people to be ruled by a man the Church has cast out, well, it will cause no end of problems.”

  Bryan pondered this for a few moments. “Perhaps in time the pope will rescind his edict against you. I shall pray for that to happen.”

  “Thank you, Bryan. Your prayers are welcome. And while you are on your knees, ask that Edward might come to his senses as well.”

  Bryan smiled. “I will. But if Edward doesn’t respond, will you continue to wage war until he is forced to come to terms?”

  Bruce stood and paced the small enclosure. “I would prefer reconciliation with the English as well as with the Scottish nobles who fought against us.”

  “You will accept them back into your good graces?”

  The king stopped in front of him. “Aye, so long as they swear homage to me and me alone. I’ll not abide this loyalty to two kings any longer. People must choose.”

  Bryan nodded, thinking back to his own wife’s divided loyalties. “Aye, that would solve many of our problems.”

  Robert sat down and picked up his chalice, swirling the liquid as he said, “I have decided to return the Great Seal and the Royal Shield to England. Perhaps such a goodwill gesture will bring Edward around.”

  “Perhaps, if he is not too humiliated by his defeat.”

  “Aye, I’ve had to flee plenty of battles with my tail between my legs. ’Tis not a good feeling, and I doubt Edward liked it much.”

&nb
sp; “When will you send an envoy with terms for peace?”

  Bruce gestured with his cup. “As soon as I can. I am anxious to rid myself of the English prisoners and release my women from captivity.”

  “I understand, my laird. I would like to go to London with the envoy.”

  Bruce set the chalice down hard on the table. “Absolutely not. I will not put another loved one at Edward’s disposal. You will remain in Scotland. In fact, deep in the highlands at Moy sounds like an excellent idea. Stay there as long as you like.”

  Three of Bruce’s younger brothers had lost their lives at Edward of England’s hands. The queen and Bruce’s daughter by his first wife as well as his two sisters remained in England, awaiting release. Bryan nodded. “I have no desire to add to your burden. I will do as you wish. But if Edward refuses your offer of peace?”

  Wearily Bruce said, “Then we shall continue to fight.” He paused. “I once told you it might be awhile before you could retire to Homelea in peace.”

  “Aye, but unless we convince Edward to stay south of our border with his army, my wife and family won’t be safe.”

  Bruce smiled. “Then fight we shall, sir knight.”

  “The very words you used at my own knighting ceremony.”

  “We have endured much since then.”

  “Let us hope that the queen is soon restored to you and that peace comes to Scotland with her.”

  “Aye, let us hope.” Bruce stood. “Now, get yourself and your wife to Moy. And don’t hurry back.”

  FOUR

  Meals will be eaten in silence.

  —from the Rule of the Templar Knights

  Of all the many rules that governed my life as a Templar, this simple rule of silence at mealtime was the hardest for me. Perhaps because we had so little time or opportunity to share our thoughts with our fellows. And maybe that was the very reason for the rule—to keep us from forming attachments. If such was the purpose, this rule had no effect on my friendship with Peter the Weaver. I have mentioned that I was apprenticed to him. We shared a common outlook on life and a similar devotion to God.Of course, the same could have been said about many of our brothers. But Peter and I bonded as mentor and student, and we fought together in Spain. The quiet years in France strengthened our friendship. I felt the same kinship for him as I had—as I still do—for Robert the Bruce. But when Peter needed me most, I failed him.